Abstract: The front bearing (110) of a heat engine starter having an output pinion starter drive (120) comprises, in the front, a transverse wall (111) having an opening (112), for passing a body (122) of the starter drive (120) there through, and a cavity (200) for mounting a sealing joint (240). The cavity is set up on the inner periphery of the rear surface (400) of the front bearing. The rear surface is configured so as to form a bearing abutment for the outer ring (231) of a rolling bearing (230) and moreover has at least one hollowed-out area (300) intended to be filled with grease so as to form a grease supply. The hollowed-out area is mostly set up outside the cavity. A heat engine starter having an output pinion is characterized in that it comprises one such front bearing.

Abstract: A self aligning bearing and seal assembly including a bearing housing operable to mount to a surface, a bearing unit seated within the bearing housing and having an outer race, an inner race, and at least one ball intermediate the outer and inner race. The self aligning bearing and seal assembly also includes a pivot assembly having a shaft sleeve operable for receiving and maintaining a rotatable shaft and being disposed in the bearing housing and in operational contact with the inner race of the bearing unit. The pivot assembly allows for a degree of angular misalignment between the surface and the shaft greater than three degrees.

Abstract: A seal guard 12 for a wide inner ring bearing assembly 10 comprising an annular member 22 configured for attachment to an external surface 24 of a bearing outer ring 16, and which radially encloses the various seal components 18 disposed within an annular opening between the inner ring 14 and outer ring 16. The annular member 22 includes an angled external surface 22A adapted to deflect external contaminates away from direct impingement upon the seal components 18.

Abstract: A ball bearing with seals on both sides is provided which is configured such that the pressure in the bearing interior is less likely to drop when a belt guide ring cools after it has been formed by resin molding, thus preventing the inwardly extending lip of each rubber seal from being pressed against the inner side surface of the seal groove. The belt guide ring (21) is formed on the radially outer surface of an outer race (2) of the bearing. Seal fitting grooves (8) are formed on the radially inner surface of the outer race (2) at its respective end portions. A rubber seal (10) has its radially outer portion fitted in each seal fitting groove (8).

Abstract: The interchangeable wheel bearing unit has a wheel hub and two tapered roller bearings, each having an outer ring and an inner ring, between which a respective row of tapered rollers is situated, and a securing ring in at least one of the inner rings of the tapered roller bearing. To assemble the wheel bearing unit without special tools, each outer ring of the tapered roller bearings has a cylindrical extension, which runs coaxially with the wheel hub axis towards the outer face of the bearing and into which a respective seal is inserted, and a retaining element, which is supported on the corresponding inner ring and axially fixes the outer ring, is located on the opposite face of the respective tapered roller bearing from the seal.

Abstract: A bearing assembly is provided having a roller bearing with an inner raceway fitted around the journal portion of an axle. An outer raceway combines with the inner raceway to receive roller elements. An improved lubricant seal arrangement is provided between the wear ring and the supporting outer raceway comprising a stator element, a rotor element and a flinger element.

Abstract: A clutch release bearing device having an interior and an exterior raceway. The exterior raceway is equipped with a ring wall being retracted underneath the path radius of an inner roller body raceway. An interior sealing device is provided, including a ring element axially supported on an inner radial wall section of the retracted ring wall.

Abstract: A bearing assembly includes an inner race adapted to be coupled to an inner member and an outer race adapted to be coupled to an outer member positioned such that the inner race is in an opposed and spaced apart relation from the outer race. Roller elements are disposed between the inner and outer races. An inner flange is coupled to the outer race, includes circumferentially spaced apart recesses and extends generally radially toward the inner race. An outer flange is coupled to the inner race. A flexible sealing member contacts both the inner flange and the outer flange. A shroud includes tabs that extend through the recesses. The tabs are coupled to the outer race. The inner and outer members are permitted to rotate relative to each other.

Abstract: Provided is a hub unit bearing wherein a cover can be firmly fitted with an outer ring member, and it is difficult for foreign matter to enter inside through a water drainage hole formed in the cover. The cover that covers the inside end section in the axial direction of the hub unit bearing includes a disk section, a small-diameter cylindrical section bent in the axial direction from the outer perimeter edge section of the disk section and a large-diameter cylindrical section. A cut and raised section that is cut and raised toward the inside in the radial direction is formed in the small-diameter cylindrical section, and a water drainage hole that passes through from inside to outside the cover is provided in the portion that is cut and separated from the small-diameter cylindrical section.

Abstract: A sealed spherical bearing is disclosed, having a race and a ball disposed therein. A seal between the race and the ball inhibits the ingress of contaminants into the spherical bearing. The seal has a first edge. The first edge is secured to a retainer, which is press-fit into an annular groove defined by the race. The ball and the race are rotatable relative to each other. A second edge of the seal is seated in a second annular groove defined the ball. A lubricant is disposed inside the second annular groove. A convex surface of the ball and a concave surface of the race form a sliding surface. A self-lubricating treatment is applied to one or more of the sliding surfaces.

Abstract: A bearing element 7 has rolling bodies 3, having an inner raceway, an outer raceway and adjacent rolling bodies 3 which are arranged rotatably between the inner and the outer raceways via a cage 4 for holding the rolling bodies 3. At least one porous element 6, 13, 16 is provided for accommodating lubricant for the bearing element 7.

Abstract: A rotating flow head has a lubricated bearing pack for isolating bearing elements from wellbore fluids under pressure. The bearing pack, having a rotating cylindrical sleeve, bearing elements and two seal assemblies, is secured within an assembly bore of a stationary housing by a retainer plate accepting a plurality of lag bolts circumferentially spaced around a top portion of the stationary housing. Each of the seal assemblies have at least one sealing element having a body, an annular cavity, an inner sealing surface, and a flange that distends radially outwardly when axially compressed. A loading ring fit to the annular cavity urges the inner sealing surface radially inwardly to sealingly engage the rotating cylindrical sleeve. The inner sealing surface further comprises a first and second sealing surface and a debris channel therebetween.

Abstract: It is desired to prevent generation of negative pressure in the bearing space and to prevent entry of foreign matter such as water into the bearing. A bearing is provided which includes an inner race (1), an outer race (3), rolling elements (5) disposed between raceways (2 and 4) of the inner and outer races and retained by a retainer (6), and seal assemblies (7) provided at the respective ends of the outer race (3). Each seal assembly (7) includes a seal case (9) fitted on one end of the outer race (3), and an oil seal (11) mounted in the seal case. A check valve (20) is mounted in the seal case (9) which allows only a flow of gas from outside the bearing into the bearing space. A filter (29) is mounted in a flow passage in the check valve which allows passage of gas and prevents passage of liquid and solids.

Abstract: A drive unit for motor vehicles having which has at least one electrical motor and at least one transmission assembly. The electrical motor and the transmission assembly are operatively connected to one another by at least one shaft and the shaft is rotatably mounted by at least one first rolling bearing which sits in a rotary union for the shaft in the transmission assembly.

Abstract: A rolling bearing has a metallic member sealing member at one axial end thereof. The sealing member has a first cylinder section including a first cylinder section facing surface which is in contact with an outer peripheral surface of an inner ring, a second cylinder section connected to the first cylinder section and including a second cylinder section facing surface which faces the outer peripheral surface of the inner ring, and a flange section connected to the second cylinder section via a bend section. In a state before the sealing member is press fitted in the bearing, a radial position of the second cylinder section facing surface is closer to the flange section than a radial position of the first cylinder section facing surface. The rolling bearing has another metallic member sealing member at another axial end thereof.

Abstract: A sealing ring for sealing a rolling chamber of a rolling bearing, which has a supporting part that is fixed to a first bearing part and retains an elastic part. The sealing ring seals the roiling chamber by a radial or axial sealing lip on the elastic part. The sealing ring lies between the first bearing part and a second bearing part that is rotatable relative to the first bearing part or lies between the first bearing part and another component fixed to the second bearing part and moveable relative to the first bearing part. A ring of lubricant is applied, formed and retained by an annular groove in a sealing lip and by the second bearing part or by the component. The ring of lubricant can also be shaped so that the ring of lubricant closes a gap between the sealing lip and the second bearing part or the components.

Abstract: This sealing device has an annular metal core portion and an annular elastic portion. The elastic portion has a thick portion and a thin portion which extends from the thick portion in an axial direction of the elastic portion and has a thinner thickness in a radial direction than the thick portion. A fixed lip is provided on an inner peripheral surface of the thick portion, and a sliding lip is provided on an inner peripheral surface of the thin portion.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a sealed rolling bearing, where sealing plate fitting spaces are reduced to virtually zero, thereby allowing parts compatibility with non-sealed rolling bearings due to its bearing size and also enabling the color of lubricant to be visually observed from the outside. The sealed rolling bearing includes a rolling bearing main body; and sealing members each provided between outside edges of an inner ring track and an outer ring track in the rolling bearing main body. The sealing members are provided by transparent plastic sealing plates and attached to a retainer.

Abstract: A sealed spherical roller bearing assembly, having an outer ring with a seal groove and an inner ring with a central bore. A plurality of rolling elements is arranged between the inner ring and the outer ring.

Abstract: Rolling bearing, for a tensioning roller, comprising an inner race, an outer race mounted so as to rotate about the inner race and at least one row of rolling elements placed between the inner race and outer race, the said inner race comprising an axial portion extending axially beyond the outer race. The rolling bearing comprises an insert fitted into an open-ended bore made in the axial portion of the inner race.

Abstract: A cover-bearing arrangement for mounting a shaft which extends into a housing in the region of a housing opening and for closing off the housing in the region of the housing opening. The arrangement comprises a sleeve section which surrounds the shaft and which can be inserted into the housing opening, and a flange section which can be fastened to the housing. A bearing for rotatably mounting the shaft is arranged in the sleeve section. The sleeve section and the flange section are produced as a single-piece component from plastic.

Abstract: The seat adjustment mechanism has a housing with an outer ring and an inner ring. The rings are arranged concentrically. Clamping bodies interact with double clamping ramps on the rings and are arranged in an annular space between the rings. Spring supports pivot in relation to each other, interact with a stop on the housing, are arranged concentrically with the rings, and engage in each case both in the annular space and in an inner space arranged radially within the inner ring. The spring supports are braced in relation to each other by a spring, which is arranged in the inner space to secure the clamping bodies in the center of the double clamping ramps. Stop surfaces of the spring supports are acted upon by a force in the direction in which they are minimally spaced apart.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a resin composition whose flowability is secured when the resin composition is injection-molded into injection-molded articles such as a resin-made crown-shaped cage and a resin-made seal both for a rolling bearing and a resin-made sliding bearing and which is capable of enhancing the mechanical strengths and toughnesses of these injection-molded articles to such an extent that these injection-molded articles can be used as bearing members. The resin composition is formed into a molded article and used as a bearing member. The resin composition is composed of polyamide resin or polyester resin to which polycarbodiimide is added. The polyamide resin is at least one resin selected from among polyamide 66 resin and polyamide 11 resin. The polyester resin is polytrimethylene terephthalate resin. 0.5 to 6 wt % of the polycarbodiimide is contained in an entirety of the resin composition.

Abstract: A bearing damper includes: (a) an annular sleeve having spaced-apart grooves formed in a radially-facing surface therein; (b) an annular bearing race received in the sleeve; and (c) a resilient seal ring disposed in each of the grooves, wherein the seal rings cooperate with the sleeve and a radially-facing surface of the bearing race to define a closed annular gap, and further wherein the seal rings are sized so as to urge the bearing race towards a coaxial position relative to the sleeve.

Abstract: A drawn cup needle roller bearing 30 having a seal ring comprises: a shell 31 having a raceway surface 31a on an inner circumferential face and also having inward flange portions 31b, 31c in both end portions; a cage 32 having a plurality of pockets 32a in a circumferential direction and worked by cutting; a plurality of needles 33 retained in the pockets 32a so that the needles freely rotate along the raceway surface 31a; and a seal ring 34, the shape of which is cylindrical, arranged inside the shell 31 between an end face 32b of the cage 32 and the inward flange portion 31b. The seal ring 34 composes a floating seal and is formed by press working. Due to the foregoing, an excellent dimensional accuracy can be provided and a quantity of lubricant passing through the bearing can be controlled.

Abstract: An inner ring, an outer ring, a circular cone roller constituting a rolling elements arranged between the inner ring and the outer ring, a first seal member arranged at an opening portion between the inner ring and the outer ring, and a second seal member arranged on an outer side in an axial direction of the first seal member are provided, the second seal member includes a core fixed to the outer ring, an elastic ring-like member fixedly attached to the core and having at least one lip, and an outward attached slinger having a section in a channel-like shape fixed to the inner ring to cover the core and the elastic ring-like member and having a portion of a section in an L-like shape and a circular cylinder shape portion.

Abstract: A rolling bearing which has a sealing arrangement and a sensor component, particularly an encoder, which is fitted with a mounting flange. The rolling bearing further has an inner ring and an outer ring between which rolling members are arranged. The sealing arrangement is equipped with at least one sealing element between the inner ring and the outer ring. In order to provide a rolling bearing which can easily be retrofitted with a retrofit sensor, particularly a retrofit encoder, and is well protected against environmental influence, the sensor component that is fitted with the mounting flange is designed as a retrofit part, while at least one water discharge port is disposed in the region of the mounting flange.

Abstract: First portions are fixed to an outer ring, and second portions are fixed to an inner ring. Bimetal members and electromagnets are embedded in and fixed by elastic portions of the first portions and portions of the second portions are constituted by ferromagnetic members. Whereas at a normal temperature region, the first portions and the second portions are brought into contact with each other, based on deformations of the bimetal members at a temperature equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature equal to or higher than the normal temperature region, the first portions and the second portions are made to be disposed to be spaced apart from each other by intervals therebetween at a temperature equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature equal to or higher than the normal temperature region.

Abstract: A sealed hub-bearing assembly for agricultural applications includes a hub-bearing unit 10 with a flanged outer ring 11 and a pair of radially inner stationary rings 16, 17 tightly mounted side to side. A sealing device 20 is mounted on a side of the hub-bearing unit 10 opposite to the side of the flange 12 and includes a sealing gasket 32 which is arranged to slide against the outer ring 11 and it is mounted by snap-action in a circumferential groove 18 formed in the inner ring 17 located farthest from the side of the flange 12.

Abstract: A bearing assembly is provided having a roller bearing with an inner raceway fitted around the journal portion of an axle. An outer raceway combines with the inner raceway to receive roller elements. An improved lubricant seal arrangement is provided between the wear ring and the supporting outer raceway comprising a slinger element.

Abstract: A bearing assembly of a blender consists of a bearing holder (1) having an axial hole (11) and a cavity (12) which connected with said axial hole (11), a shaft (3), a bearing cap (4) provided inside said cavity (12), and two bearings (5a, 5b) provided in said bearing cap (4). Said cavity (12) comprises a first compartment (13) for receiving said bearing cap (4) and a second compartment (14) for receiving a first and a second ring seal (6a, 6b) which are made of Teflon.

Abstract: A rolling bearing as a ball bearing comprising an inner ring; an outer ring having the same axial width as said inner ring; balls arranged between said inner ring and said outer ring; and a sealing member having a roughly channel-shaped configuration in cross section projecting from both end faces of said inner ring and said outer ring. A relation between a diameter A of said ball and an axial width W of said inner ring and said outer ring satisfies A/W?0.4, and a relation between a bearing volume V of said ball bearing and an internal space capacity C of said ball bearing satisfies 0.35?CN?0.55.

Abstract: A rotating flow diverter has a lubricated sealed bearing assembly for isolating bearing elements from wellbore fluids under pressure. The sealed bearing assembly is supported between an outer bearing housing and an axially rotatable quill. The bearing assembly further has bearing elements with a bearing lubricant under pressure and a seal assembly. The seal assembly has at least one sealing element which comprises a body, the body having an outer peripheral wall, an inner sealing surface having a plurality of sealing lips and an annular cavity, and a loading ring for compressionally fitting within the annular cavity to urge the sealing surface radially inwardly for sealing engagement with tubulars.

Abstract: A rotating seal for a gas turbine engine includes: (a) an annular seal body; (b) a sealing component carried by the seal body which is adapted to form one-half of a rotating seal interface; and (c) an impeller carried by the seal body which comprises a plurality of radially-inwardly-extending impeller blades.

Abstract: A method of extending the life of a journal bearing assembly in a solid fuel pulverizer includes: removing a first lower journal bearing from a journal shaft and a lower bearing seat of a lower bearing housing; removing a first upper journal bearing from the shaft and an upper bearing seat of an upper bearing housing; modifying the lower and upper bearing seats; modifying lower and upper shoulders on the journal shaft; disposing the second lower and upper journal bearings on the modified lower and upper bearing seats; disposing a new journal bearing spacer between the second lower and upper journal bearings; disposing a new journal bearing collar between the upper shoulder and the second upper journal bearing; filling a cavity defined by the lower and upper journal housings with grease; and disposing a seal assembly between the shaft and one end of the upper journal housing opposite the lower journal housing to prevent the ingress of solid fuel into the cavity of the journal assembly.

Abstract: A bearing is disclosed comprising an inner ring concentrically disposed with an outer ring with rotational elements therebetween adapted for allowing rotational movement of the inner ring relative to the outer ring. A flinger may be secured to the inner ring having an extension member formed from a resilient material. The extension member may extend radially outward from the flinger along an axial side of the bearing and engages a portion of a side face of the outer ring during operation of the bearing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a roller bearing of a wheel hub of a motor vehicle comprising a tire pressure control system. Said roller bearing comprises an air guiding channel that extends radially through an external ring and an air guiding channel that extends radially through an internal ring that leads into an intermediate chamber that is arranged between the rows of the bearing bodies and is sealed in relation to said bearing bodies. In order to seal the intermediate chamber in a more simple and effective manner, said intermediate chamber comprises a flow channel that is embodied as a Venturi nozzle.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel bearing apparatus has an outer member, an inner member, double row rolling elements freely rollably contained between outer and inner raceway surfaces of the outer and inner members, and seals mounted within annular openings formed between the outer and the inner members. A backup seal is arranged radially outward of an outer side seal of the seals. The backup seal has a sealing lip inclined radially outward toward the outer side. The sealing lip slidingly contacts an annular metal member that is pressed from a steel sheet having preservation properties. The annular metal member is bolted on a side face of the wheel mounting flange of the inner side.

Abstract: An alignment apparatus includes a first stator, located in a stator of a piece of rotating equipment, and a second stator couplingly connected to the first stator and able to be angularly rotated relative to the first stator. The second stator can seal an interface between a shaft and housing in the piece of rotating equipment. The alignment apparatus permits angular misalignment between a stator, a housing and a rotor shaft, and may be used, for example, in a bearing protector or an isolator installed on a Pillow Box.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rolling bearing, for a tenter clip, which is capable of restraining deterioration of a sealing member even though the sealing member contacts ester oil, and is excellent in reliability and durability at high temperatures. A periphery of an outer ring of the rolling bearing for use in the tenter clip of a film-stretching apparatus is lubricated with the ester oil.

Abstract: A seal arrangement for sealing a bearing comprising a first component and a second component which are rotatably movable with respect to each other is provided. The seal arrangement includes brush seal having an annular brush body carried by the first component and a bundle of resiliently bendable bristles. The brush seal is adapted to maintain a sealing condition when the first and second component are moved relative to each other in a non-rotational manner. Further, a brush seal and a wind turbine having a brush seal are provided.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a device for rotatably coupling two coaxial connecting elements, at least one of which is configured as a circular ring, and each of which has at least one annular surface that faces the corresponding surface of the respective other connecting element but is spaced apart therefrom by a gap, such that they are rotatable in opposite directions about an imaginary axis (axis of rotation) at the center of the annular connecting element and approximately perpendicular to the ring plane, wherein disposed in the gap between the two connecting elements is a rotary joint, configured as a single- or multi-row rolling bearing, for absorbing axial and radial loads and tilting moments, wherein at least one annular connecting element comprises, on its surface facing the gap, a continuously circumferential, planar shoulder having an oblong or elongated cross section and extending away from the gap to a freely terminating, peripheral circumferential edge.

Abstract: A rolling-element bearing for bearing rotating components in vacuum devices includes a plurality of rolling elements (10) arranged between bearing elements (12, 14). A bearing compartment (26) is for example closed by sealing elements (22, 24) on both sides. The sealing elements (22, 24) have a minor sealing gap(s). The rolling-elements bearing is used in vacuum sections in which a pressure of less than 10?3 mbar prevails.

Abstract: An axle bearing assembly includes a flange, on which a wheel is mounted; a hub shaft constructed of a cylindrical portion provided on an inboard side of the flange; a bearing having an inner ring; an outer ring; and rolling elements disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring; a first sealing member fixed to an inboard side between the inner ring and the outer ring; and a removable second sealing member is fitted to the inboard side of the first sealing member. The inner ring of the bearing portion is fixed to the cylindrical portion of the hub shaft.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a first component mounted for rotation with the wheel and a second component spaced from the first component by a predetermined gap and not connected for rotation with the wheel. One of the first and the second components is displaced relative to the other upon a force to close the gap and contact the other component to form a load path for the force. The load path is a secondary load path that bypasses the bearing races, preventing excessive plastic deformation of the races. The apparatus is configured with at least one feature to inhibit corrosion of the first and second components at the gap. The feature may be an extension of the second component that localizes the gap to just a portion of the second component. Alternatively, coatings, shims, lubricants, and seals may be used alone or in combination to prevent corrosion at the gap.

Abstract: A seal equipped bearing assembly including an outer ring (3), an inner ring (2), rolling elements (4) and a sealing member (6), in which the sealing member (6) has a base end fixed to the outer ring (3) and the opposite end rendered to be a sealing lip (8aa) that is slidingly engaged with the inner ring (2). A sealing face (10a) of the inner ring (2) with which the sealing lip (8aa) is slidingly engaged is provided a friction facilitation treated element such as, for example, a minute projection (11). This friction facilitation treated element is operable to facilitate a frictional wear of a forefront portion of the sealing lip (8aa) so that when the bearing assembly is rotated, the sealing member (6) can assume a non-contact seal or exhibit a light contact of a contact pressure that can be regarded as zero.

Abstract: An inner-rotor-type motor includes a housing, a stator, a rotor, a permanent magnet and a cover plate. The housing has a compartment. The stator is received in the compartment. There is an assembling hole arranged at the axial center of the stator and passing through the stator from the top to the bottom thereof. The rotor has a shaft with one end thereof rotatably extending through the assembling hole, with a bearing being mounted around the shaft. The permanent magnet is fixed to an outer periphery of the shaft and beside the bearing, with the permanent magnet facing the stator. The cover plate is arranged between the permanent magnet and the bearing. Consequently, impurities are prevented from entering an undesired interstice between the bearing and the shaft or from entering the inside of the bearing, such that smooth rotation of the rotor is provided and such that life of the inner-rotor-type motor is extended.

Abstract: A crankshaft has spaced-apart cheeks and a cylindrical surface between the cheeks. A split ring bearing assembly has first and second bearing parts that join to encircle the cylindrical surface. First and second split ring seal assemblies each have first and second seal parts that join to encircle and sealingly contact with the cylindrical surface on each side of the split ring bearing assembly. A journal includes a first and second journal halves having cylindrical recesses receiving the crankshaft so that the split ring bearing assembly bears upon the journal and the first and second split ring seal assemblies sealingly contact with the journal halves. A lube fill fitting is provided in the journal for the introduction of lubricant which is permanently sequestered between the first and second split ring seal assemblies to provide sealed lubrication of the split ring bearing assemblies.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel bearing apparatus which reduces the weight, size and number of parts and also prevents ingress of rain water or dusts and leakage of differential gear oil has an axle housing supported under a body of a vehicle. A hollow drive shaft is inserted into the axle housing. A wheel bearing is arranged between the drive shaft and an opening of the axle housing and is structured as a unit including a wheel hub and a double row rolling bearing. The wheel bearing includes an inner member with a wheel hub integrally formed with a wheel mounting flange on one end and an axially extending cylindrical portion. At least one inner ring is press-fit onto the cylindrical portion of the wheel hub. The inner ring is formed with at least one of the inner raceway surfaces on its outer circumferential surface. An outer member is arranged around the inner member and formed with double row outer raceway surfaces on its inner circumferential surface opposite to the inner raceway surfaces.

Abstract: A seal device for preventing entry of debris into a rotary cutter drive housing when a shock protection device having frangible drive features is removed after having fractured the drive features following a driveline overload condition. The housing includes an upwardly facing opening through which a drive shaft for the cutter extends. The drive shaft rotationally engages the shock protection device for driving the rotary cutter. The seal device is disposed in the upwardly facing opening beneath the protection device and includes drive means for rotation in unison with the drive shaft. The seal device further includes a seal interface for sealing interface with a contact seal disposed on the inner circumference of the opening thereby preventing the entry of debris into the housing.